Who We Are
The Funder
Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of Workforce Initiatives that aim to deliver better support and more opportunities for the science, innovation and technology workforce.
The Partners
Victoria University of Wellington
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington—the creative, scientific, and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand—and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.
We operate at the interface between business, innovation, and regulation—we engage critically with government, business, communities, and others in an independent, non-partisan manner. We leverage our research strengths and our location to enrich the quality of our teaching and deliver transformative outcomes for our city, our nation, and our world.
We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and connection to place. We are a university with a marae at its heart. Te Herenga Waka, our Māori name, is also the name of our marae. It means the mooring place of canoes.
University of Otago
Founded in 1869, the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest university, renowned for its research-led learning environment and a strong reputation for excellence. Today it has a nationwide presence, with campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington and enjoys an international reputation for excellence – it is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions in the world.
We operate at the interface between business, innovation, and regulation—we engage critically with government, business, communities, and others in an independent, non-partisan manner. We leverage our research strengths and our location to enrich the quality of our teaching and deliver transformative outcomes for our city, our nation, and our world.
We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and connection to place. We are a university with a marae at its heart. Te Herenga Waka, our Māori name, is also the name of our marae. It means the mooring place of canoes.
Massey University
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University is a research-led university with a reputation for excellence in innovation and the creation of new knowledge. With campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Singapore, there is a strong international focus equalled by a commitment to being Te Tiriti led and supporting the growth of Māori and Pacific students.
Massey University research helps solve complex national and global problems and translates into exciting commercial opportunities. In the 2026 QS World University rankings, Massey University is ranked 230th equal and third in Aotearoa New Zealand. Massey University is also a committed global leader in sustainability, ranking 84th equal in the world and third in New Zealand in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings that assess a university’s contribution and progress towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
University of Auckland
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, renowned for its world-class teaching, groundbreaking research and vibrant campus life. Consistently placed among the world’s top universities, it is ranked 65th in the world and 1st in New Zealand by the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Located in the heart of Auckland, the University offers an inspiring environment where innovation thrives and global connections are forged. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and social impact, the University fosters an inclusive academic environment where students, researchers and communities work together to tackle the challenges of today and shape a better tomorrow
ADS Secretariat
Dr. Susana Negrete-Urtasun
ADS Programme Manager